We enjoyed a lovely – and much warmer – 26km through the rolling hills, gentle farmland and well maintained villages of the beautiful Bierzo micro-climate area (this means lots of vineyards and the resultant quite lovely local vino tinto). The day seemed to just float by with few words spoken and each of us lost in our own reverie.
Upon arrival at our end point for the day – Villafranca del Bierzo – we made our way to the same lovely albergue I stayed at last year. It is actually a converted townhouse owned for generations by the host family and it is beautiful. Rosemary and I are sharing the same private alcove as Kylie and I shared last year – I will still be climbing to the upper bunk and only a curtain separates us from the other larger room but there is still a coziness and a good feeling of privacy. The daughter of the house, Maria, claims to recognise me from last year and both she and the rest of her family are as welcoming as before. There is a great new addition to the abode this year – Africa the 11-month old Portuguese Water Dog. She’s just had a haircut so looks a little bald but is still adorable and very loving (I miss Sophie!!!). Maria has just taken Africa out for a walk and put a full quilted coat on her first because of the haircut and the outside temperature – I will confess I chuckled a bit.
Tomorrow is a big day for both distance and elevation and it looks like we are finally about to have our comeuppance and have some rain – rats!
Our albergue.
Africa (having her coat put on) and Maria.
Camino 2017 - the sequel 